First "Drivers Car" - BMW 130i - Advice/Alternatives?
Discussion
I'm looking at parting my hard earned cash for my first "drivers" car.
The 130i seems to tick all my boxes - quite fast, RWD, reliable, practical, good MPG.
Has anyone got any advice buying one of these - any particular issues? Should I go BMW approved? Is there a particular year I should be aiming for? Is mileage a big issue? Servicing costs etc?
I'd be looking to spend around £14-£15k - will I be able to get a decent example with this?
Or have I got the wrong end of the stick - any other alternatives given the above and the fact it will be my daily driver?
Cheers!
The 130i seems to tick all my boxes - quite fast, RWD, reliable, practical, good MPG.
Has anyone got any advice buying one of these - any particular issues? Should I go BMW approved? Is there a particular year I should be aiming for? Is mileage a big issue? Servicing costs etc?
I'd be looking to spend around £14-£15k - will I be able to get a decent example with this?
Or have I got the wrong end of the stick - any other alternatives given the above and the fact it will be my daily driver?
Cheers!
I had a 130i for 18 months or so and all things considered it was the best car I have ever owned.
I've had a Z4 M Coupe and a Merc CLK500 V8 since then so this is no small praise.
Great engine, handling, noise, quality, and economy.
The ride can be a little skittish on the run flats - however the revised (2007 on I think) cars have a better ride than the earlier ones. Not sure if you'll get one for your budget though.
1 Series looks aren't to everyone's taste but in my opinion a 5-door 130i M-Sport in a decent colour is a perfectly decent looking machine.
Soovy's right though, R32s are fine cars and I would have been happy to have one too. However the 130i felt livelier to drive imo, gets noticeably better mpg and avoids the silly £400++ tax as the emissions are lower.
I've had a Z4 M Coupe and a Merc CLK500 V8 since then so this is no small praise.
Great engine, handling, noise, quality, and economy.
The ride can be a little skittish on the run flats - however the revised (2007 on I think) cars have a better ride than the earlier ones. Not sure if you'll get one for your budget though.
1 Series looks aren't to everyone's taste but in my opinion a 5-door 130i M-Sport in a decent colour is a perfectly decent looking machine.
Soovy's right though, R32s are fine cars and I would have been happy to have one too. However the 130i felt livelier to drive imo, gets noticeably better mpg and avoids the silly £400++ tax as the emissions are lower.
DON'T listen to the two above posts, the R32 is as dull as ditchwater compared to a 130i from behind the wheel and good mpg is something they don't do either
Stick with the 130i, looks are subjective, I HATED them at first but I have came full circle and now own one, ditch the run flats if they are fitted and your in for a treat
Also I used to own an R32 so my experiences are not through what I've read on t' Internet
Stick with the 130i, looks are subjective, I HATED them at first but I have came full circle and now own one, ditch the run flats if they are fitted and your in for a treat
Also I used to own an R32 so my experiences are not through what I've read on t' Internet
I've just bought a 123d and it makes a great daily driver for anyone vaguely interested in driving. Although I needed the economy I can only imagine that a light and sonorous straight 6 would make it even better.
Yes it's not the prettiest but I quite like the look of my black 3 door with the 18" 5x2 spokes. IMHO the ride isn't as bad as everyone makes out, and the Golf really didn't do it for me driving wise and I'm an advocate of FWD, the BM just felt sharper and less nose heavy to me.
Certainly wouldn't buy a bloody Golf for the looks either, any car in that class is a box if you ask me.
Yes it's not the prettiest but I quite like the look of my black 3 door with the 18" 5x2 spokes. IMHO the ride isn't as bad as everyone makes out, and the Golf really didn't do it for me driving wise and I'm an advocate of FWD, the BM just felt sharper and less nose heavy to me.
Certainly wouldn't buy a bloody Golf for the looks either, any car in that class is a box if you ask me.
The Wookie said:
I've just bought a 123d and it makes a great daily driver for anyone vaguely interested in driving. Although I needed the economy I can only imagine that a light and sonorous straight 6 would make it even better.
Yes it's not the prettiest but I quite like the look of my black 3 door with the 18" 5x2 spokes. IMHO the ride isn't as bad as everyone makes out, and the Golf really didn't do it for me driving wise and I'm an advocate of FWD, the BM just felt sharper and less nose heavy to me.
Certainly wouldn't buy a bloody Golf for the looks either, any car in that class is a box if you ask me.
The Golf R32 is 4WD, is it not?Yes it's not the prettiest but I quite like the look of my black 3 door with the 18" 5x2 spokes. IMHO the ride isn't as bad as everyone makes out, and the Golf really didn't do it for me driving wise and I'm an advocate of FWD, the BM just felt sharper and less nose heavy to me.
Certainly wouldn't buy a bloody Golf for the looks either, any car in that class is a box if you ask me.
OP!http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/about/event?referre...
Be quick and get two year's warranty included if you buy an AUC vehicle.
Only valid until 13th June (Sunday).
adycav said:
OP!http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/about/event?referre...
Be quick and get two year's warranty included if you buy an AUC vehicle.
Only valid until 13th June (Sunday).
navier_stokes said:
haggling may be on the cards?
Definitely.Especially for the 130i, which is a niche product. Most folk go for the diesels nowadays.
When I bought mine it was up at £20k - I eventually got it for £18.5k. The car was 8 months old with 1700 miles and would have cost over £29k new.
Great value the 130i.
Pulse said:
The Wookie said:
I've just bought a 123d and it makes a great daily driver for anyone vaguely interested in driving. Although I needed the economy I can only imagine that a light and sonorous straight 6 would make it even better.
Yes it's not the prettiest but I quite like the look of my black 3 door with the 18" 5x2 spokes. IMHO the ride isn't as bad as everyone makes out, and the Golf really didn't do it for me driving wise and I'm an advocate of FWD, the BM just felt sharper and less nose heavy to me.
Certainly wouldn't buy a bloody Golf for the looks either, any car in that class is a box if you ask me.
The Golf R32 is 4WD, is it not?Yes it's not the prettiest but I quite like the look of my black 3 door with the 18" 5x2 spokes. IMHO the ride isn't as bad as everyone makes out, and the Golf really didn't do it for me driving wise and I'm an advocate of FWD, the BM just felt sharper and less nose heavy to me.
Certainly wouldn't buy a bloody Golf for the looks either, any car in that class is a box if you ask me.
Adycav summmed it up perfectly. Having had my 130i since the middle of last year, its been spot on. Its not the most practical of cars - rear leg room isnt the best and the boot is adequate rather than cavernous. But thats being picky - both are fine.
Ive ditched the runflats on mine and the ride is much better now. The brakes should be singled out for some praise too; more than upto the job and having done a trackday at oulton in mine they were superb, progressive and fade free after a decent handful of laps.
The engine is wonderful. Its got a fantastic spread of torque and while its not blow your socks off quick, its more than quick enough for the road. A friend has an R32, so have driven and can compare the two. The R32 plays quite a decent tune; depends on your taste which you prefer, and the grip in wet weather is, of course, much better. Mine is pre 06 so its exempt from the big tax so thats a couple of hundred quid a year to save there.
Economy is decent - 26-35mpg seems to be the norm and ive not spent a great deal on maintenance over 12k. Brake fluid change and some new pads so far.
Its not the best looking car in the world but i bought mine for what it does - its as close to an M3 as I can afford but without the running costs. It sounds great, goes well and is wonderfully balanced in such a way that inspires confidence, even when you want to have some fun on a damp roundabout...
not sure if you need the practicality, or if you could stretch your budget, but the Z4 coupe also appeals...
Ive ditched the runflats on mine and the ride is much better now. The brakes should be singled out for some praise too; more than upto the job and having done a trackday at oulton in mine they were superb, progressive and fade free after a decent handful of laps.
The engine is wonderful. Its got a fantastic spread of torque and while its not blow your socks off quick, its more than quick enough for the road. A friend has an R32, so have driven and can compare the two. The R32 plays quite a decent tune; depends on your taste which you prefer, and the grip in wet weather is, of course, much better. Mine is pre 06 so its exempt from the big tax so thats a couple of hundred quid a year to save there.
Economy is decent - 26-35mpg seems to be the norm and ive not spent a great deal on maintenance over 12k. Brake fluid change and some new pads so far.
Its not the best looking car in the world but i bought mine for what it does - its as close to an M3 as I can afford but without the running costs. It sounds great, goes well and is wonderfully balanced in such a way that inspires confidence, even when you want to have some fun on a damp roundabout...
not sure if you need the practicality, or if you could stretch your budget, but the Z4 coupe also appeals...
Get a 1-Series. I don't have any experience of the higher power variants, but bought a 118d M-Sport six months ago and it's a really involving and entertaining drive.
I've had a few 'proper drivers cars', and the little BM more than holds its own. Great steering and chassis balance, imagine it would be hilarious with a load more power.
I never liked the styling either, but it's grown on me.
A fun car that offers an entertaining drive in real world conditions.
I've had a few 'proper drivers cars', and the little BM more than holds its own. Great steering and chassis balance, imagine it would be hilarious with a load more power.
I never liked the styling either, but it's grown on me.
A fun car that offers an entertaining drive in real world conditions.
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